Four rules for Chikungunya patients

Health Desk: June 17, 2017--- The public health experts said the Chikungunya patients should follow at least four rules to get rid of this common viral fever in the country.

"The fever is curable in seven days by drinking enough water, taking paracetamol, total rest and normal food intake, especially sea food. So, there is nothing to be panicked," said Dr Shamim Ahmed, an associate professor of the Medicine Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Chikungunya is infected into human bodies by infected two types of mosquitoes -Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, he said, adding that they mainly bite during the day. In Bangladesh, such kinds of mosquitoes appear in May to July, he said recently.

There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for chikungunya, said Dr Shamim adding that the treatment is directed primarily at relieving the symptoms, including the joint pain using anti-pyretics, optimal analgesics and fluids.

However, he urged the people to be aware about the Chikungunya saying prevention and control are the best ways to reduce the breeding of such mosquitoes born in closed water containers or artificial water-filled pots here and there.